Soft-Touch and Sustainable Materials for Robotic Dogs

Dogs are widely regarded as a man’s best friend, and it is no surprise that technology and engineering have come together to create four-legged robotic adaptations, designed as consumers’ all-around pals, capable of performing more technical tasks in areas including surveillance and security solutions, logistics, research, healthcare, education, personal assistance, and more..

Robotics manufacturers bank on precision, reliability, and flexibility in material selection to ensure robust and well-rounded robot performance and safe interaction with humans. Engineering polymers, specifically thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), are seeing growing robotics application due to their high strength and performance properties.

KRAIBURG TPE, a leading global manufacturer of TPEs and customized solutions for versatile applications across industries, including robotics, delivers the top-notch mechanical properties required in advanced robotic systems.

Resilient and colorable compounds
KRAIBURG TPE compounds ensure resilience and durability, allowing robot parts to withstand repetitive movement and mechanical stress. They provide smooth, non-sticky surfaces for improved ergonomics, precision, and safe handling. Design-wise, the fully colorable materials ensuring robots to aesthetically stand out.

Multimaterial performance with sustainability
KRAIBURG TPE materials demonstrate excellent adhesion to PC, ABS, and PC/ABS, making production of complex multi-material components possible without compromising structural integrity. The GRS-certified materials feature recycled raw materials and hardness-dependent post-industrial content, providing a sustainable TPE solution for robotic dogs while promoting low-impact manufacturing of high-quality products.

Versatility across applications
KRAIBURG TPE materials are used across a wide range of consumer and industrial applications beyond robotics. The non-sticky TPE compounds are applied in functional and design elements, handles and grips for everyday products, power tools, and toolboxes, as well as handheld devices and sporting equipment for comfortable and safety handling. Functional parts such as thumb wheels, push buttons, and switches benefit from the compounds’ soft-touch quality, while electronic products such as game consoles, remote controls, and earphones are assured of durable performance with their application. The materials are also used in household items and wearables, delivering convenience, efficiency, sustainability, and consistent performance.

KRAIBURG TPE at CHINAPLAS 2026
KRAIBURG TPE will join CHINAPLAS 2026 from 21–24 April 2026 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (NECC), Shanghai, China, exhibiting at Hall 7.2, Booth D13, with a broad portfolio of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) materials. Visitors are invited to explore the latest material innovations and benefit from free one-to-one consultations with technical experts, offering personalized material recommendations and application support.

Sustainability from the get-go
At KRAIBURG TPE, sustainability drives our innovation. Our portfolio includes bio-based TPEs and compounds with post-consumer (PCR) and post-industrial (PIR) recycled content. Selected TPEs are certified under GRS and ISCC PLUS. We also provide Product Carbon Footprint (PCF) data upon request to support sustainability decisions.
We proudly earned the EcoVadis Gold Medal in 2025 and are committed to the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), aligning our goals with global climate action.
From reducing emissions to increasing circularity, our sustainable TPEs deliver reliable performance and are available worldwide to support your applications while advancing your sustainability goals.
Get in touch today to learn how KRAIBURG TPE can support your sustainability and product development journey.
Discover More with TPE: From drone applications to pet trackers and E-bike handles, explore how our TPE solutions bring safety, durability, and innovation into everyday living.

Disclaimer: The applications mentioned are illustrative of material capabilities only. Final product suitability and regulatory compliance must be assessed and validated by the customer.